West Nile virus (WNV) is an arthropod-borne virus primarily transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, among birds, but occasionally infecting humans and equids. Understanding environmental factors on the disease occurrence is crucial for planning effective prevention and control strategies. Our study estimates the short-term effects of ambient temperature, relative humidity and precipitation on weekly cases of WNV in equids in Spain, using a space-time stratified case-crossover design. Because WNV transmission occurs sometime after the weather conditions become favorable for the vector, we aimed to estimate the lagged effect of the three weather variables on the incidence of WNV cases in equids. Therefore, we applied a conditional Poisson regression within the framework of lag-distributed models. These models are particularly effective for examining the delayed effects of exposures. The incidence of WNV confirmed cases was associated with temperatures registered within the prior two and eight weeks. The highest incidence was observed at lag four, where the incident rate ratio (IRR) increased to 11.96 (95 % CI: 9.84-50.40) with mean temperature at 33 °C, likewise relative humidity effect peaked also at lag four (IRR=3.99; 95 % CI: 1.43-11.16) at 93 % of relative humidity. On the other hand, the confidence intervals for precipitation were very wide, making it difficult to discern a clear change in the risk of WNV infection associated with total precipitation. This study sheds light on the complex relationships between meteorological variables and the incidence of WNV cases. Considering the zoonotic nature of the disease, these results could provide valuable information for surveillance and early warning of the disease.

• Klíčová slova
• Case-crossover design, Distributed lag non-linear models, Equids, Precipitation, Relative humidity, Temperature, West Nile virus,
• MeSH
• Equidae * virologie   MeSH
• incidence MeSH
• klinické křížové studie MeSH
• koně MeSH
• nemoci koní * epidemiologie   virologie   MeSH
• počasí * MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• virus západního Nilu izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• vlhkost MeSH
• západonilská horečka * epidemiologie   veterinární   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Španělsko epidemiologie   MeSH

In recent years, populations of beavers are rising and spreading in Europe, so we can expect increasing human contact with them in future. The aim of the study was to examine the blood samples of free-ranging beavers to detect antibodies to 12 infectious agents. In total, the blood samples from 76 free-ranging Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) were used for the detection of antibodies to 12 infectious agents, including 3 parasites (Toxoplasma gondii, Neospora caninum, Trichinella spp.), 5 bacteria (Brucella spp., Chlamydophila abortus, Coxiella burnetti, Francisella tularensis, Leptospira spp.), and 4 viruses (Aujeszky's Disease Virus ADV, Hepatitis E virus HEV, Tick-borne Encephalitis virus TBEV, and West Nile Fever virus WNV). The sera were examined by Agglutination test, or Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, depending on the tested pathogen. Out of 76 animals, the following seropositivity was obtained: T. gondii 18.4 % (14/76), N. caninum 7.9 % (6/76), Leptospira spp. 3.9 % (3/76), F. tularensis 2.6 % (2/76) and Hepatitis E virus 2.6 % (2/76), with statistically significant differences in the positivity of animals to different pathogens (p=0.0007). Antibodies to the other 7 agents were not found. In total, 19 of 76 (25 %) animals had antibodies at least to one tested pathogen, with single infection in 12 animals (15.8 %) and mixed infection of 2-3 agents in 7 animals (9.2 %). There was no difference in positivity between individuals' genders (24.2 % for females and 23.7 % for males, p=0.7244), age of animals (juvenile 15.4 %, subadults 20 %, adults 31.6 %, p=0.3962), area (South Moravia 31.9 %, Český les 28.6 %, Elbe (Labe) River 14.3 %, and Šumava National Park 0 %, p=0.1894) and year of sampling (from 9 positive samples in 2008 to 0 positive samples in 2010). This first seroepidemiological study, dedicated to a wide range of pathogens, determined the extent to which this animal species is infected with these pathogens.

• Klíčová slova
• Leptospirosis, Neosporosis, Serology, Toxoplasmosis, Tularemia, Wildlife,
• MeSH
• aglutinační testy MeSH
• bakteriální infekce * veterinární   epidemiologie   MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• hlodavci * parazitologie   mikrobiologie   virologie   MeSH
• protilátky bakteriální * krev   MeSH
• protilátky protozoální * krev   MeSH
• protilátky virové * krev   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• virové nemoci * veterinární   epidemiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protilátky bakteriální * MeSH
• protilátky protozoální * MeSH
• protilátky virové * MeSH

Sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are the principal vectors for the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. and for phleboviruses. The sand fly fauna on the Balkan Peninsula, including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), is diverse and the circulation of Leishmania infantum as well as phleboviruses has been proven. However, recent data on the sand fly fauna in BIH are scarce. In this study, we surveyed understudied regions in central and northeastern BIH to update the sand fly distribution and gain insights into the ecological and environmental factors shaping their appearance. CDC light trapping was conducted in 2022 and 2023 and a combination of morphological and molecular methods (cytochrome oxidase I barcoding) was performed for species identifications. We mapped the currently known distribution, modelled climatic suitability patterns and performed environmental analyses by applying machine learning methods. In addition, we analyzed blood meals by host gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF peptide mass mapping and screened for Leishmania spp. DNA and Phlebovirus RNA. Altogether, 591 sand flies of four species were trapped, predominantly Phlebotomus neglectus (97 %), but also Ph. balcanicus, Ph. mascittii, and Ph. papatasi. Records of seven sand fly species known to be endemic were plotted onto distribution maps based on 101 datapoints, identifying Ph. neglectus as the overall predominant species. The environmental analyses of sand fly species indicated variation in altitudinal, thermal, and precipitation conditions across the sand fly-positive sites. Phlebotomus simici, Phlebotomus tobbi, and Sergentomyia minuta are typically found exclusively in Mediterranean and subtropical climate zones, whereas other species typically inhabit continental regions. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation of sand fly species numbers and Shannon entropy values suggested the southeastern coastal region of BIH as a primary focus for sand fly occurrence. This finding was corroborated by modeled average climatic suitability patterns for sand flies, depicting four distinct meso-regions for sand fly occurrence. The results of the ensemble method highlight the importance of annual precipitation to distinguish between positive and negative sand fly trapping sites in BIH. In total, 55 blood meals of two sand fly species, Ph. neglectus and Ph. balcanicus, were analyzed and five host species identified. Our comprehensive assessment of ecological and environmental preferences of sand flies in BIH may support further entomological surveys and help to better understand and evaluate potential hot spots of disease transmission in the country.

• Klíčová slova
• Balkan, Barcoding, Blood meal, Environmental analyses, MALDI,
• MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• hmyz - vektory * fyziologie   parazitologie   klasifikace   virologie   MeSH
• Leishmania infantum genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Leishmania genetika   MeSH
• Phlebotomus klasifikace   MeSH
• Phlebovirus izolace a purifikace   genetika   MeSH
• Psychodidae * klasifikace   fyziologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• rozšíření zvířat MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Bosna a Hercegovina MeSH

The etiological agent of yaws is the spirochete Treponema pallidum (TP) subsp. pertenue (TPE) and infects the children of Papua New Guinea, causing ulcerative skin lesions that impairs normal growth and development. Closely related strains of Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue, JE11, and TE13 were detected in an ulcer biospecimen derived from a 5-year-old yaws patient. Cloning experiments validated the presence of two distinct but similar genotypes, namely TE13 and JE11, co-occurring within a single host. While coinfection with highly related TPE strains has only limited epidemiological and clinical relevance, this is the first documented coinfection with genetically distinct TP strains in a single patient. Similar coinfections in the past were explained by the existence of over a dozen recombinant loci present in the TP genomes as a result of inter-strain or inter-subspecies recombination events following an anticipated scenario of TP coinfection, i.e., uptake of foreign DNA and DNA recombination.

• Klíčová slova
• Coinfection, Inter-strain recombination, PCR chimeric clones, TPE allelic profiles, Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE), Yaws,
• MeSH
• DNA bakterií genetika   MeSH
• frambézie * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• koinfekce * mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• Treponema pallidum * genetika   izolace a purifikace   klasifikace   MeSH
• Treponema MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Papua Nová Guinea MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA bakterií MeSH

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the most widespread clinical form of leishmaniasis in the Americas. Migonemyia migonei is a widely distributed phlebotomine sand fly species in Brazil and has been implicated as a vector for L. (V.) braziliensis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of salivary gland homogenates (SGH) of Mg. migonei on the course of L. (V.) braziliensis infection in BALB/c mice. Mice were separated into four groups (six mice per group): CTRL (uninfected mice); SGH (mice inoculated with Mg. migonei SGH); SGH+LEISH (mice inoculated with Mg. migonei SGH plus L. (V.) braziliensis promastigotes); LEISH (mice inoculated with L. (V.) braziliensis promastigotes). Mice were followed up for 8 weeks and the cellular immune response was evaluated by flow cytometry at the end of the experiment. Analysis of cytokine production by splenic cells stimulated with 0.5 SGH, 0.25 SGH of Mg. migonei or L. (V.) braziliensis soluble antigen stimulation (LSA) demonstrated that upon stimulation with SGH 0.25, the production of IL-17A and TNF was not sustained in the SGH group, with decreasing levels of these cytokines after 5 days compared to 3 days of incubation. Analyzing the production of cytokines after LSA stimulation, we observed lower levels of IL-17A in the SGH group after 5 days compared to 3 days. The same was observed for IFN-γ in the SGH group. Yet, the levels of TNF were significantly higher in the LEISH group after 5 days compared to 3 days. Among SGH+LEISH and LEISH mice, three animals in each group developed skin lesions on the tail, the mean lesion size was significantly higher in the LEISH group. Our study suggests that Mg. migonei SGH may modulate BALB/c immune response, as reflected by the low production or early decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines in splenic cell cultures following stimulation with L. (V.) braziliensis antigen. Our data also suggest that Mg. migonei saliva may reduce the lesion size in BALB/c mice, but further research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

• Klíčová slova
• BALB/c mice, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Immunomodulation, Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, Migonemyia migonei, Sand fly saliva,
• MeSH
• Leishmania braziliensis * MeSH
• leishmanióza kožní * MeSH
• myši inbrední BALB C MeSH
• myši MeSH
• Psychodidae * MeSH
• slinné žlázy MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Theileria equi and Babesia caballi are protozoan agents causing equine piroplasmosis, endemic in countries all over the world. The aim of this study was to detect antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi in horses in the Czech Republic and to investigate the origin of the infection. Blood sera from 711 horses were examined with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; positive samples were verified with indirect fluorescence immunoassay. Antibodies to T. equi and B. caballi were detected in eight (1.1%) and three (0.4%) horses, respectively. Infection with T. equi was confirmed by PCR and sequencing in the blood of five serologically positive horses. An autochthonous origin of T. equi infection could not be excluded in two (0.3%) horses. Intensive movement of horses across European countries and the expanding occurrence of competent tick vector Dermacentor reticulatus in the Czech Republic create an increasing risk of establishing active foci of equine piroplasmosis in the country.

• Klíčová slova
• Dermacentor reticulatus, Equine nuttaliosis, Hemoprotozoan parasites, Tick-born disease,
• MeSH
• Babesia * genetika   MeSH
• babezióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• koně MeSH
• nemoci koní * epidemiologie   MeSH
• skot MeSH
• Theileria * genetika   MeSH
• theilerióza * epidemiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• skot MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH

In this study, we characterized a collection of clinical samples obtained from Syrian and Turkish patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences. All obtained sequences belonged to Leishmania tropica. Combining them with those available from GenBank allowed us performing a broad-scale analysis of genetic diversity for this species. We demonstrated that L. tropica has a complex phylogeographic pattern with some haplotypes being widespread across endemic countries and others restricted to particular regions. We hypothesize that at least some of them may be associated with alternative vectors or animal reservoirs.

• Klíčová slova
• Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Haplotype diversity, ITS1, Phylogeography,
• MeSH
• fylogeografie MeSH
• genetická variace * MeSH
• haplotypy MeSH
• infekce přenášené vektorem MeSH
• Leishmania tropica genetika   MeSH
• leishmanióza kožní epidemiologie   přenos   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The presence of some species of helminths is associated with changes in host microbiota composition and diversity, which varies widely depending on the infecting helminth species and other factors. We conducted a prospective case-control study to evaluate the gut microbiota in children with Opisthorchis felineus infection (n=50) before and after anthelmintic treatment and in uninfected children (n=49) in the endemic region. A total of 99 children and adolescents aged between 7 and 18 years were enrolled to the study. Helminth infection was assessed before and at 3 months after treatment with praziquantel. A complex examination for each participant was performed in the study, including an assessment of the clinical symptoms and an intestinal microbiota survey by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples. There was no change in alpha diversity between O. felineus-infected and control groups. We found significant changes in the abundances of bacterial taxa at different taxonomic levels between the infected and uninfected individuals. Enterobacteriaceae family was more abundant in infected participants compared to uninfected children. On the genus level, O. felineus-infected participants' microbiota showed higher levels of Lachnospira, Escherichia-Shigella, Bacteroides, Eubacterium eligens group, Ruminiclostridium 6, Barnesiella, Oscillibacter, Faecalitalea and Anaerosporobacter and reduction of Blautia, Lachnospiraceae FCS020 and Eubacterium hallii group in comparison with the uninfected individuals. Following praziquantel therapy, there were significant differences in abundances of some microorganisms, including an increase of Faecalibacterium and decrease of Megasphaera, Roseburia. Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia abundances were decreased up to the control group values. Our results highlight the importance of the host-parasite-microbiota interactions for the community health in the endemic regions.

• Klíčová slova
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing, Children, Gut microbiota, Opisthorchis felineus, Parasite,
• MeSH
• anthelmintika terapeutické užití   MeSH
• Bacteria klasifikace   MeSH
• biodiverzita MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• DNA bakterií MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• opistorchióza farmakoterapie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• praziquantel terapeutické užití   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra účinky léků   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• anthelmintika MeSH
• DNA bakterií MeSH
• praziquantel MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH

In Slovakia, the Roma population forms the second-largest ethnic minority. A large part of the Roma is semi-nomadic or lives in segregated settlements with poor living standards and limited access to health facilities. More than 40 years ago, a cross-sectional survey revealed a high prevalence of parasitic infections. There is a paucity of recent data, and hence, we designed a study to investigate the current status of intestinal parasitic infections in this population. Overall, 259 children aged 7 months to 18 years from 32 different segregated settlements provided faecal samples for microscopic examination using a sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin concentration and the Paraprep L technique. Almost 40% of the samples yielded a positive result, with Ascaris lumbricoides (27.4%) and Giardia intestinalis (9.3%) being the most frequent helminth and intestinal protozoa species, respectively. Many children younger than 2 years were found to be infected, which suggests that community transmission is important. In view of our findings, there is a pressing need for targeted action to improve the health status of this neglected population.

• Klíčová slova
• Cross-sectional survey, Diagnosis, Intestinal parasites, Paraprep L, Roma, Slovakia, Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) concentration technique,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• etnicita MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• formaldehyd MeSH
• giardiáza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• helmintóza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• menšiny MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• paraziti MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• formaldehyd MeSH

Infection with helminths in sub-Saharan Africa could modulate the immune response towards Plasmodium falciparum as well as susceptibility to malaria infection and disease. The aim of this study is to assess the antibody responses to helminths species in malaria-exposed populations from Burkina Faso. Plasma samples were collected in rural villages inhabited by Fulani, Mossi and Rimaibe communities, and IgG against parasitic helminths were measured by ELISA. The prevalence of IgG against antigens of Strongyloides stercoralis, Wuchereria bancrofti and Schistosoma haematobium (Soluble Egg Antigen, SEA) was 5%, 16% and 63% respectively, in line with estimates of infection prevalence in the region for the three parasites. Anti-SEA IgG prevalence was highest at 10-20 years of age, higher in males than females, and did not show differences between ethnic groups. However, the Fulani showed lower levels of anti-SEA IgG suggesting that lighter S. haematobium infections may occur in the ethnic group known for a marked lower susceptibility to P. falciparum. The present data support the use of serological methods for integrated surveillance of neglected tropical diseases such as soil-transmitted helminths, lymphatic filariasis and bilharzia. Furthermore, as helminth infections might promote downregulation of immune responses against intracellular pathogens, the observation of lower anti-SEA IgG levels in the malaria resistant Fulani population warrants further investigation into the immunological cross-talk between S. haematobium and P. falciparum in this geographical region.

• Klíčová slova
• Fulani, Immunity, Lymphatic filariasis, Malaria, Schistosomiasis, Soil-transmitted helminths, Sub-Saharan Africa,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• imunoglobulin G krev   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• protilátky helmintové krev   MeSH
• Schistosoma haematobium imunologie   MeSH
• tropická malárie epidemiologie   imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Burkina Faso epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• imunoglobulin G MeSH
• protilátky helmintové MeSH